Azurite and Malachite, Two Magnificent Minerals

By Sara Thompson

Image credit Parent Gery, obtained from Wikimedia Commons,

Special to the Enterprise

All rocks are made of one or more minerals. Minerals are solid, naturally occurring substances with well-defined crystal structure and chemical compositions. Rock and mineral collecting is a popular hobby for amateur and expert rock fans alike. Some of the most popular minerals for collecting is azurite and malachite, a pair of copper carbonate minerals.

Azurite is best known for its rich blue color. The color was used for paint pigments in the Middle Ages and earlier. The mineral was ground up and mixed with oils or other substances to get different shade of blues, blue gray, some even becoming greenish. Azurite would be easy to grind into a powder for this use as its hardness on the Mohs Scale is between 3.5 and 4, meaning it harder than a copper penny, but softer than glass.

Malachite is the other common copper carbonate mineral. This one has a brilliant green color and was also used in color pigmentations, making different shades of green. Malachite was also used in mosaics, vases, and other decorative purposes. Like its partner mineral, malachite has the same 3.5-4 hardness level on the Mohs Hardness Scale, making it easily shaped and versatile used.

Both azurite and malachite form and grow in the same places, both needing copper and carbonate chemicals. Oftentimes, these minerals are found occurring together in the same rock. Malachite is more common than azurite, but this could be due in part that malachite is more stable in open air environments. Both minerals are stable under normal storage conditions, but azurite does begin to weather and break down when exposed to the elements. If you have either of these beautiful minerals at home, keep them in a safe and place, so their vibrant colors can be enjoyed for years to come.

Azurite and Malachite, two magnificent minerals

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